Families gather around to observe National Family Literacy Day on November 1st. Families who read together succeed together. 

There are more reasons than ever before for families to read aloud to their children from a young age. Besides the fact that reading creates quiet, quality family time, it develops early vocabulary skills. If that wasn’t enough to get a family reading together, check out these reasons:

• Expands their attention span and yours. Read chapter books even to your youngest child. They may drift off to sleep, but they are listening and their attention span will lengthen.
• It’s free. Books can be checked out from the library.
• You can read well above a child’s level, and they will still listen and comprehend.
• Improve listening skills. See above.
• It’s portable. Reading doesn’t require batteries. Except at night.
• Reading is a tool that can never be unlearned. Once a child learns to read, they never stop. You’ll know because you’ll have to stop spelling certain words to your spouse.
• It improves imagination and creativity.
• Reading opens up a dialogue between parent and child.

NATIONAL FAMILY LITERACY DAY HISTORY

In 1994, the 103rd Congress passed Joint Resolution 413 Designating November 1 National Family Literacy Day. The day kicks off National Literacy Month.

Want to Read even more? My parents taught us to read long before going to school. Reading opens the door to new worlds. It’s the best vacation you can rake without leaving you favorite cozy chair. Check out and encourage some of these book days to start a lifelong enjoyment of opening a book.

Book holidays

• Book Lovers Day
• Library Shelfie Day
• Family Literacy Day
• Family Literacy Month
• Science Fiction Day
• Thesaurus Day
• February is Library Lovers Month
• Library Lovers Day
• World Read Aloud Day
• International Book Giving Day
• Freelance Writers Appreciation Week
• Children’s Authors & Illustrators Week
• Read an E-Book Week
• Return Borrowed Books Week
• Read Across America Day
• World Book Day
• National Grammar Day
• Write Your Story Day
• Freedom of Information Day
• World Poetry Day
• Tolkien Reading Day
• National Poetry Month
• Childrens Book Day
• School Librarians Day
• Read a Roadmap Day
• National Library Week
• Encourage A Young Writer Day
• D.E.A.R. Drop Everything And Read Day
• National Librarian Day
• Haiku Poetry Day
• National Columnist’s Day
• Talk Like Shakespeare Day
• World Book & Copywrite Day
• Poem In Your Pocket Day
• National Tell A Story Day
• National Authors Day
• National Black Poetry Day
• Library Card Sign Up Month
• National Read A Book Day
• Comic Book Day
• National Coloring Book Day
• National Book Month

HOW TO OBSERVE #FamilyLiteracyDay

Celebrated across America, this day focuses on special activities and events that showcase the importance of family literacy programs. Attend a program or activity at a school or library near you. Get together with family and read a book together. Other ways to celebrate National Family Literacy Day include:

• Visiting the library and getting a library card.
• Creating a reading nook in your home.
• Starting a tradition of reading time at home.
• Explore new genres with your children. Sometimes a different topic is all it takes to get children excited about reading.
• Have a spelling bee night.
• Play Scrabble or other word games.

You can also share your favorite ways to encourage reading in your family. While you’re celebrating, be sure to use #FamilyLiteracyDay to post on social media.